The Lay of Hamdir (Hamdismal) Summary

The poem recalls when Gudrun urged her sons to avenge their sister, Svanhild. These grievous actions still bring sorrow to the elves today.

Gudrun tells her sons that their sister has been trampled to death by horses. Hamdir and Sorli are now her only living lineage as she stands alone and bereft of happiness like an aspen in the forest. Hamdir tells his mother that she did not praise Hogni when Sigurd was killed in his sleep next to her. He continues to say that Gudrun intended to hurt Atli by killing Erp and Eitil but only brought more pain to herself. Sorli states that he does not want to bandy words with his mother but desires to know what she asks of them. Sorli tells his mother to weep for her brothers and sons as well as the...